Spring Break
State sues Philly for control of casino laws
Chris Sannino
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: News
The Pennsylvania Gaming Board filed suit against Philadelphia City Council in Pennsylvania Supreme Court Thursday with intentions of blocking the city's authority over proposed casinos.
In December, the state gaming board authorized investors to construct the Sugarhouse and Foxwoods casinos on separate sites along the Delaware River. That decision touched off a debate over who can control the placement of casinos in the city.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is seeking sole control over all decisions surrounding casino placement.
The verdict would also void a city council-approved referendum that would ban slot machines within 1,500 feet of a school, home, place of worship, civic center, public park, playground, pool or library.
If not overturned, the referendum would go to ballot in Philadelphia on May 15.
The Gaming Board found this vote to be not only unlawful, but also completely unreasonable.
"We cannot sit idly by and must take this action now because placing this question on the ballot is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars," read a statement released by Pennsylvania Gaming Board Chairman Tad Decker.
The lawsuit also argues that the council did not provide enough notice of public hearings on the issue to even present the law.
"The delay created by the opponents of casino development will cost all parties millions not only in lost revenue but also in unnecessary legal fees," Jane Bokunewicz of Drexel's Hospitality Management Department and a former employee of the Tropicana in Atlantic City, said.
After laws granting slot machine gaming rights were passed in Pennsylvania in 2004, plans for slot parlors in and around Philadelphia went into development.
Investors and associates sent in applications to the Gaming Board in competition to be granted casino licenses and a build site. While the state approved the placement of slot machines in up to 14 locations state-wide, Foxwoods and Sugarhouse became the only two licensed to open in the city of Philadelphia.
In December, the state gaming board authorized investors to construct the Sugarhouse and Foxwoods casinos on separate sites along the Delaware River. That decision touched off a debate over who can control the placement of casinos in the city.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is seeking sole control over all decisions surrounding casino placement.
The verdict would also void a city council-approved referendum that would ban slot machines within 1,500 feet of a school, home, place of worship, civic center, public park, playground, pool or library.
If not overturned, the referendum would go to ballot in Philadelphia on May 15.
The Gaming Board found this vote to be not only unlawful, but also completely unreasonable.
"We cannot sit idly by and must take this action now because placing this question on the ballot is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars," read a statement released by Pennsylvania Gaming Board Chairman Tad Decker.
The lawsuit also argues that the council did not provide enough notice of public hearings on the issue to even present the law.
"The delay created by the opponents of casino development will cost all parties millions not only in lost revenue but also in unnecessary legal fees," Jane Bokunewicz of Drexel's Hospitality Management Department and a former employee of the Tropicana in Atlantic City, said.
After laws granting slot machine gaming rights were passed in Pennsylvania in 2004, plans for slot parlors in and around Philadelphia went into development.
Investors and associates sent in applications to the Gaming Board in competition to be granted casino licenses and a build site. While the state approved the placement of slot machines in up to 14 locations state-wide, Foxwoods and Sugarhouse became the only two licensed to open in the city of Philadelphia.
Be the first to comment on this story